Abstract
What lies at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and transportation? Electric scooters. In September of 2017, Birds flocked to their first city. In Santa Monica, California, hundreds of electric scooters suddenly appeared on sidewalks and street corners, ready to take a shot at more efficient transportation, while also ruffling a few feathers. Ridesharing applications such as Uber and Lyft are manifestations of the profound impact that technology has had on transportation in the recent past. This same technology has further influenced transportation through micro-mobility scooter-sharing systems. Companies, such as Bird and Lime, allow users to rent their electric scooters for a single use to navigate short distances around cities. Electric scooters have generated criticism within the municipalities in which they are being used, and they pose a host of legal questions, especially with regard to liability. At law, this is an issue of first impression. It is my conclusion that a court would likely impose liability through multiple theories of tort law on the micromobility scooter companies in the event of injuries to riders or third parties.
Last Page
53
Recommended Citation
Darden Copeland,
Electric Scooters: A New Frontier in Transportation and Products Liability,
26
Rich. J.L. & Tech
1
(2024).
Available at:
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/jolt/vol26/iss2/4